Springvale purchase hurdle overcome

The Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (Victoria) is one step closer to securing the future of the Springvale Shooting Range.

The SSAA Springvale Range – which allows people to shoot rifle, pistol, air rifle and air pistol and provides a meeting area and bistro for members and visitors – has been running since 1973.

During that time the Association has leased the land on Princes Highway, with the ever-present risk of the lease ending, leaving the range with nowhere to go.

But on Thursday night the Victorian Upper House passed the Land Revocation Bill 2016, paving the way for SSAA Victoria the purchase the land.

SSAA Victoria Chief Executive Officer Jack Wegman, who has been campaigning for years to secure the site, welcomed the move overnight.

“A clause of the Land Revocation Bill 2016 administratively moves the land that the Springvale Range resides on, allowing the Association to fulfil its long-standing goal of purchasing the land,” he said.

“The Springvale Range is a hub of SSAA Victoria and where many new sporting shooters are introduced to the sport. This change will allow us to move forward with our plan to purchase the land and continue introducing more people to the safe, fun and inclusive sport.”

SSAA Victoria worked closely with the Shooters and Fishers Party’s Jeff Bourman, who has been a big supporter of the range.

“Shooting is a fast growing, inclusive sport with more licensed individuals from all sectors of society than ever participating,” the Member for Eastern Victoria Region said.

“Having an accessible location to participate in the sport is vital for community access, meaning more people can give it a try and more people can practice and improve their skills.”